Inspired by the world’s fastest plane, the Blackbird SR-71, the Vulcano Titanium is an Icona one-off creation, a world first. With its unique titanium and carbon fiber body, it truly embodies the best Italian design and engineering. The Blackbird SR-71, whose sharp and dramatic silhouette complementing its sensual surface transitions was key to the styling of this supercar. Indeed, this plane immediately proved to be very suited to hypercar ergonomics. With its 680 horsepower and short gear semi-automated paddle-shift gearbox, encased in a beautiful design featuring voluptuous and harmonious shapes, the Vulcano Titanium really brings together the “beauty and the beast”. Its naked titanium body, entirely hand-hammered by specialized workers, can be considered a sculpture, revealing over a thousand hours of handcrafted work for its creation.
Boasting a very usable 680 horsepower through a paddle shift gearbox from MODENA, the Vulcano Titanium features all this raw power encased in a beautiful, cutting-edge design with harmonious shapes. Yet, the sculpted bodyside is not simply an aesthetic value: its voluptuous shapes evacuate the hot air from the engine and reduce air turbulence generated by the wheels. In addition, specially created and homologated Full LED lights are present front and rear, giving the car even more expressiveness and character. The carbon-fiber seats are the latest design made by Sabelt, a supercar reference name, set in Turin. The one-off interior trim is made using the best Alcantara and leather from Poltrona Frau. The meticulous workmanship comes from D’Arras, a company that only works for the most demanding customers of rare cars and supercars and can combine the most high-tech machine work with traditional handicraft skills.
The Vulcano Titanium is built by Cecomp, an Italian coachbuilder with a long and glorious history, and has been subjected to long hours of aerodynamic studies in computer simulation. To optimize the car’s handling capability as well as its high speed capability, a twin layered diffuser as well as a retractable rear wing complete the race set up. The powertrain is the work of Claudio Lombardi, ex-Scuderia Ferrari director and mastermind of numerous world champion cars. Also key was Mario Cavagnero, the man behind the Lancia Racing team and father of the engine of many championship cars: the famous Lancia Integrale and 037, as well as the complete Peugeot T16 family. In Lombardi’s words, “A championship car is made from drivability, how well a man can feel the machine and the real performance comes with the art of bringing the optimum amount of power to the wheels.”
Founded in early 2010, Icona is unique among European design studios. For easy and convenient communication with its Chinese clients, the entire Icona team – and not just its commercial office – is based permanently in the heart of Shanghai’s Lujiazui district. With a growing design team from eight different nationalities, Icona provides design services to the most respected automakers in China. Through its integrated partnership with sector leaders Tecnocad Progetti and Cecomp located in Torino (Italy), Icona brings together the best of European design, engineering, modeling and prototyping experience. Talented young French designer Samuel Chuffart brings exceptional international experience to his role as design director of Icona. During his eight year tenure at Nissan Design in Europe and the US, Mr. Chuffart played an instrumental role in the creation and realization of the Nissan DNA which is known today.
